NEW ORLEANS, La. (Louisiana First) — New Orleans is rolling out the welcome mat as city and festival leaders officially kicked off the 31st annual Essence Festival of Culture during a press conference previewing one of the nation’s largest celebrations of Black culture, music, and community.
Many consider New Orleans the heart of American culture, and as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday this weekend, tens of thousands of visitors are making their way to the Crescent City for the annual Fourth of July tradition.
Inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, festivalgoers are enjoying free daytime experiences that include celebrity panels, networking opportunities, wellness programming, the new DJ Envy Car Show, and immersive Disney activations. This year also brings a new addition, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team activation, expanding the festival’s lineup of cultural and lifestyle experiences…